Dental Implants: Back to Basics

Sometimes it’s helpful to go back to the basics—even when we’ve been doing this a while. This month, we’re keeping it simple and talking through the core parts of a dental implant and how they work. If there’s someone new on the team or someone who could use a quick refresher, please share this with them. Whether you’re a dentist, hygienist, or part of the support team, having a clear understanding of implants helps us all communicate better and serve patients well.

A dental implant is a small post, usually made of titanium, that replaces the root of a missing tooth. It goes into the jawbone and holds a crown, which is the part that looks like a tooth. Once it heals, the implant acts like a strong, stable tooth root.

After the implant is placed, the bone starts to grow around it. This is called osseointegration. It means the implant becomes part of the bone. This makes the implant strong and allows it to hold the tooth in place. Without osseointegration, the implant wouldn’t work.

After the implant is placed, we often use a healing abutment (also called a healing cap). This small piece sits on top of the implant while the gum heals. It helps shape the gum so the final tooth looks natural and fits just right.

An abutment is a connector. It joins the implant (which is in the bone) to the crown (the part you see in your mouth). The abutment can be custom-made or a ready-made stock piece. It plays a big role in how the final tooth looks and feels.

There are two ways to attach the crown (fake tooth) to the implant:

Screw-retained crowns use a small screw to hold the crown in place. There’s a little hole in the crown that gets filled after the crown is attached. These are easy to remove if we ever need to fix or clean them.
Cement-retained crowns are glued (or “cemented”) onto the abutment. These often look more natural since there’s no hole. But if too much cement is left behind, it can hurt the gums or cause problems around the implant.

Both options work well. The choice depends on the situation and clinical judgment.

Other Ways We Use Dental Implants

Implants aren’t just for single teeth—they can support many types of restorations. Here are a few common ones we use:

Snap-On Dentures (Locator Dentures): Full dentures that snap onto implants using locator abutments. They stay in place while eating and talking, but can still be removed for cleaning.
Locator-Supported Partial Dentures: For patients missing several teeth, implants can help hold a partial denture in place. These work like snap-on dentures but only fill the gaps.
Bar Overdentures: A bar is attached to the implants and the denture clips onto the bar. This adds great stability and helps the denture feel secure, while still being removable.
Fixed Implant Dentures (Hybrids): These are full sets of teeth that are permanently attached to the implants and cannot be taken out by the patient. They feel and function like natural teeth and are cleaned like a fixed bridge

These solutions help restore comfort, function, and confidence for patients with missing teeth.

Why the Basics Matter

Dental implants may seem complex, but the key parts are straightforward and important. Knowing how everything fits together helps us explain treatment clearly, answer questions confidently, and work as a stronger team.

Thanks for taking time to review the basics. Sharing knowledge across the team keeps us aligned and sharp—whether we’re placing, restoring, assisting, or educating. For another opportunity to learn more about dental implants, join our free CE course in Reno on June 5th or in Redding on June 6th. We have prosthodontist Dr. Chris Jones coming to give a presentation titled, “Dental Implants for the Team”. We hope to see you there!

Eric M. Blasingame DDS, MS